In his third adventure, the flying reindeer Niko tries to make it out of his father’s shadow. He applies for a spot on Santa’s flying squad, but has to compete for the position with a young reindeer called Stella. Niko also has to choose a path for his life: Is it more important to be a master flyer or a kind friend? Should he follow in his father’s hoofprints or make his own path in the snow?
This animation, which has been distributed widely around the world, represents a northern view. If the Inuit have several words for snow, director-duo Kari Juusonen and Jørgen Lerdam have several colours for it. At times the snow reflects pastel hues, at times the green of the Northern lights, at times blue. The milieu is magical, literally as well as figuratively, as boundaries are crossed not only between childhood and adulthood but also reality and fantasy.
This family film takes the animal so familiar to Sodankylä out into the world, and on a great adventure, but ultimately teaches a lesson applicable to everyday life. Niko, filled with teenage rebellion, learns to both question his parents and heed their advice.
Kaisu Tervonen